Guide for selling your property
Selling a house can be one of life’s most stressful events, especially if you’re also buying a home and you want to sell your house quickly. It may be the first time you’ve ever tried to sell your house or flat, or maybe it’s been years since you last decided to sell your home.
Michael Tuck Estate Agents have been selling property in Gloucester since 1983 so are in the perfect position to guide you through the process step-by-step:
How should I prepare my property to sell?
Getting your property in peak condition for its eventual sale is crucial for maximising the potential value of your home. First impressions count for everything when it comes to selling property, so it’s vital that your home looks its best for potential buyers.
Here are some of our top tips:
- Give your property a deep clean inside and outside, keep it clean and tidy until it sells
- Aim to fix anything which is broken, buyers mentally reduce their offers each time they see a problem
- Ensure you eliminate any bad odours. For example, you could introduce fresh flowers or try a single scent around the home
- Depersonalise your home. Buyers will fall in love with your house when they can imagine themselves living there
- Go neutral with your décor, colour is a personal taste, don’t allow bold colours to affect your sale
- First impressions really count. Therefore, walk from the pavement to your front door and check that your property looks maintained and cared for
- Define the purpose of each room, over time most rooms become multi-functional. Try to return them to their intended use
- Remove any clutter as this will help your home to appear bigger to potential purchasers
What price to ask?
Before you market your property with Michael Tuck Estate Agents you will need to decide what price you want to ask for. Our Valuation Managers are experts in the local housing market and will be able to advise you on an asking price which will result in a successful sale.
We will also provide you with a Rightmove Best Price Guide, which will show you how much similar properties in your area are being marketed and sold for.
Our valuations are free of charge so please contact your LOCAL Michael Tuck office and we will arrange a suitable time to value your property.
It is important to not pay too much consideration to online valuation tools as in our experience they can be very inaccurate.
Energy Performance Certificate and identification checks
All properties which are marketed in England and Wales are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before they can be put onto the market for sale or rent. If you ask your Valuation Manager, they will be able to check the national database to see whether your property already has one. If you don’t already have one in place, we will be able to arrange this for you for a nominal fee.
In accordance with current government legislation, we are legally required, where possible, to take a copy of your current photo ID (Passport or Driving Licence) plus a recent utility bill or document/s which legally connects private individuals or beneficial owner/s with the property being marketed.
What happens at the measure up?
Once you are ready to go, we will revisit your property to compile all the information required to create a professional listing. Please ask about our cutting edge 360° virtual tours, elevated and HDR photographs.
How will my property be marketed?
Your property will be marketed on multiple channels including Rightmove, Zoopla, PrimeLocation, michaeltuck.co.uk, social media and within all of our branches. For best results we highly recommend a For Sale board and that you share your listing on your own social media channels.
Who will do the viewings?
Our experienced negotiators will immediately get to work to find you a buyer. Although we use the latest technology to alert our database of buyers, we still find using the telephone the best way to get people through your door.
We will arrange viewings to suit you. We will also be happy to keep a spare set of keys securely in our office to carry out viewings for you.
All viewing appointments will be confirmed by telephone and email.
Feedback and negotiating
We contact prospective purchasers within 2 days of every viewing to obtain feedback for you. Our experienced negotiators will handle any offers made on your property to achieve the highest possible price for you.
How does the legal process work when selling a property?
We recommend that you instruct a local Conveyancing Solicitor to act for you sooner rather than later. In our experience this can help ensure contract documentation is sent out to your buyer’s solicitor without delay as soon as the price is agreed.
During the sale process there will be a lot going on behind the scenes. Our experienced negotiators will be in regular contact with you, your buyer and both sets of solicitors to ensure that the sale progresses as quickly as possible and to alleviate any potential hold ups.
At this stage it is worth using the Michael Tuck Estate Agents house moving checklist, and to read our “Five tips for moving house” article to help you organise all of the many jobs you will need to complete before moving day.
Further information can also be found on the Government issued “How to Sell” guide.
What happens on moving day?
“Moving day” can be very stressful so we are on hand to let your buyers know as soon as your solicitor has received the money from your sale.
If required you can drop the keys into our office and we will hand them over to your buyer, enabling you to concentrate with your own move!
At Michael Tuck Estate Agents we have been making dreams come true since 1983.
If you require any advice or are considering selling your property please feel free to contact Michael Tuck Estate Agents in Gloucester.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do I need to do on day of completion?
Some say that then actual house move is one of the most stressful events of all, so be prepared for the whole process long before you begin. Use our moving checklist to make sure you are organised and read our five tips for moving house.
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How can I make my home more attractive to purchasers?
Preparing your home for viewers is important. It will not only ensure that your property sells faster but for a higher sale price; potentially adding thousands of pounds to its value. Please read our article to discover how decluttering, kerb appeal, fix and clean, light and airy and getting the smells right are so important to make your house more attractive to purchasers.
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What do I need to do on day of completion?
“Moving day” can be very stressful so we are on hand to let your buyers know as soon as your solicitor has received the money from your sale. If required you can drop the keys into our office and we will arrange for your purchaser to collect them, so enabling you to continue with your onward move. Read our five tips for moving house.
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When should I instruct a conveyancer or solicitor?
We recommend that you appoint a conveyancer as soon as, or before your property commences marketing. In a fast-moving housing market this will give you a head start and is especially important for leasehold properties where the conveyancing process typically takes longer.
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How long does a house sale normally take?
The average house sale currently takes between 3 to 4 months to complete from the point of sale. This can vary, however, depending on the length of the chain, the source of your buyers funds, whether it is leasehold or freehold and how quickly all parties act.
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Do I need to be at home during viewings?
No. We will accompany all viewings, and, in our experience, buyers and tenants are more likely to provide us with constructive feedback when the owner isn’t present. We will always inform you in advance of all viewings and are happy to hold a spare key if it’s more convenient.
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How much does an Energy Performance Certificate cost?
A valid EPC is required prior to marketing property for both sale or rent and costs £120 (£100+VAT).
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What brings down property value?
There are many things that could bring down property value. Many of them such as the local area, crime rates, transport links and schooling will be out of your control. However, getting your property in peak condition is crucial for maximising the potential value of your home. Try and view your property as a potential purchaser and remember that the first impression of a property is from the outside. Internally declutter to make it look as spacious as possible.
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How long will it take for my house to go to market?
We can normally launch your property to the market within 48 hours. Once we have received the go ahead, we will need to arrange a suitable time to visit your property to take measurements and photographs so we can prepare the listing. We will also need to undertake Anti-Money Laundering checks and you will need to complete our Terms and Conditions and a Property Information Questionnaire.
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How long does a house valuation take?
We always allocate one hour for a house valuation. This allows plenty of time for our valuer to examine the property both internally and externally. We will then be able to sit down and discuss with you a recommended marketing price to ensure that your property sells within your desired timescales.
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What does a valuer look for?
During the valuation the valuer will examine the size of the building, condition, age, fixtures, layout and design. Ease of vehicle access, garages and outbuildings are also considered along with local buyer demand.
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How much does a property valuation cost UK?
If Michael Tuck Estate Agents are valuing your property for the purpose of selling then we will complete the valuation or market appraisal free of charge. However, if you require a valuation for mortgage or insurance purposes then it is likely that you will need to instruct an RICS registered surveyor or similar.
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What does property valuation involve?
Before you market your property with Michael Tuck Estate Agents you will need to decide what price you want to ask for. Our Valuation Managers are experts in the local housing market and will be able to advise you an asking price that will result in a successful sale. Using our many years of experience we will show you comparable evidence of similar properties in the area are being marketed and sold for. We can also advise you on how to prepare your property to ensure that you maximise the potential value of your home.
